The Asheville art scene is booming and we are consistently voted one of the biggest art destinations in the country. Each year, more artist studio tours, events and art shows appear. Here are our favorite annual Asheville art events. Plan your next trip around one of these! Also see more events and festivals for Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall and the Holidays.

Our Favorite Art Events & Festivals in Western North Carolina

February 20-22, 2015: Arts & Crafts Antique Show and ConferenceFor the past nineteen years Arts and Crafts enthusiasts - including new collectors, veterans, curators, craftsperson, authors, builders, architects, designers, editors, and bungalow owners - have traveled to the Blue Ridge Mountains and The Grove Park Inn for this show. Admission. Read more about the Arts and Crafts Conference

April 4, 2015: Potters of Madison County
20+ ceramic artists from the Southeast showcase diverse contemporary selection at the Marshall High Studios in downtown Marshall, 9 AM-5 PM. No admission fee.

April 25, 2015: Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith Festival
Held in Downtown Spruce Pine from 10 AM-4 PM featuring vendors, live demonstrations, hands-on tent with rotating teachers and visiting blacksmiths from around the region and country.

May 2-3, 2015: Weaverville Art SafariWeaverville, 10 miles north of Asheville, is the home and workplace of many of the area artists. Take a self-guided driving tour of the various artists' studios, tucked away in the countryside communities of Weaverville, Barnardsville, and surrounding countryside. Read more about the Weaverville Art Safari. To download a map and see a full list of artists, go to their Web site.

May 9-10, 2015: River District Artists Studio Stroll
The Studio Stroll is your chance to tour the studios, meet with the artists and purchase artwork. Within just a few blocks are dozens of eclectic mix of creative artists - from traditional to cutting-edge. Near downtown Asheville. Free. Read more about the River Arts District.

May 9-10, 2015: Fiber Weekend Fiber Weekend is Mother’s Day weekend with craftspeople at the Folk Art Center sharing their inspiration and expertise in a variety of textile arts. Demonstrations on Saturday include: quilting and appliqué, doll making, weaving, mixed media fiber arts, clothing design, printing and surface design, tapestry weaving, and natural dyeing. On Sunday, see the Handmade Wearables Fashion Show. Free. Read more about the Folk Art Center.

May 16, 2015: Montford Arts and Music Festival
This street festival, including musical acts, food, and a juried art show, highlight the artistic strength of one of Asheville’s oldest neighborhoods. This festival is free to the public, and sponsored by the Montford Neighborhood Association. Free. Go to their Web site.

May 16, 2015: Saluda Arts Festival
The quaint mountain village of Saluda celebrates its heritage and arts culture from 10 AM to 5 PM on Historic Main Street in downtown Saluda. See a dazzling diversity of 2D and 3D art media including oil, watercolor, and acrylic paintings, pottery, wood turning, blacksmithing, sculpture, jewelry, painted furniture, stained glass, and more. Music representing Americana, blues, folk, and contemporary will be ongoing. Go to their Web site.

June 6, 2015: Clay Day at Folk Art Center
This free event (10AM-4PM) features craft demonstrations and hands-on activities for children and adults. Members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild demonstrate throwing on the potter's wheel, hand building and surface design on clay, among other techniques.A highlight of the day is the Make and Take Raku Firing. Buy a $10 pot, glaze it and watch as expert potters raku fire it for you. Raku is a ceramic firing process which uses fire and smoke to create unique patterns and designs. Read more about the Folk Art Center.

June-December 2015: Sculpture for the Garden Exhibition
Grovewood Gallery in Asheville presents its annual outdoor sculpture invitational with contemporary sculptures by nationally-recognized artists. Sculptures range from playful pieces suitable for the home or garden, to works for public spaces and corporate settings. This event is open to the public and free of charge. Read more about Sculpture for the Garden.

June 5-7, 2015: Toe River Studio Tour
About an hour north of Asheville, tucked in the lush green mountains is one of the finest collections of artists and craftsmen in the world and the acclaimed Penland School of Crafts. A unique blend of contemporary and traditional cultures. More than 100 fine artists and crafts people in every medium open their studios for a free, self-guided cultural adventure. Free. Read more about Toe River Studio Tour.

June 13, 2015: Bluff Mountain Festival
This free, family-friendly festival in Hot Springs features great old-time and bluegrass music, ballads, clogging and square dance, and a silent auction and raffle of regional art work, local crafts, vacation packages, and more. The festival produced by Madison County Arts Council, begins at 10 AM, offers an array of delicious foods and ends with a square dance until dark. Go to Madison County Arts Web site.

June 13, 20 & 27, 2015: Asheville Art in the Park
See and buy fine arts and crafts from dozens of local artists at Pack Square Park in downtown. Read more about Art in the Park

June 20-21, 2015: Blue Ridge Mountains Arts & Crafts Show
Held indoors at the Haywood County Fairgrounds located on Highway 209 (758 Crabtree Road) near Waynesville and Lake Junaluska, 8 AM-5 PM with 50 crafters offering all handmade items. Free parking. Go to their Web site

June 27-28, 2015: Art Trek Tryon
Approximately 40 artists in Tryon, Saluda, Columbus, NC and Landrum, SC open their studios to the public free of charge.

June 27-28, 2015: Summertime Art & Crafts Show
Held in the Ramsey Center arena on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, the show is home to some of the most respected and unique artisans in the Appalachian Mountains with more than 100 exhibitors showcasing their contemporary and heritage art & crafts. An array of items will be displayed for sale, including: fine art, woodworking, pottery, weaving and gourd art. Heritage crafts such as shaker brooms, pine needle baskets and folk dolls will also be available, along with heirloom fabric items. Go to the Summertime Art & Crafts Web site.

July 4-5, 2015: Freedom Arts & Crafts Show
The Blue Ridge Artists and Crafters Association, a local nonprofit group has an indoor show with approximately 50 crafters, free parking, free admission, and food at Haywood County Fairgrounds in Waynesville.
Go to their Web site.

July 16-19, 2015: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
The Craft Fair, held in the Civic Center in downtown Asheville, has been an eagerly anticipated event in the mountains since 1948. The fair showcases work by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, with over 900 members throughout the mountain regions of nine states. Members' work must be juried and accepted by a committee of peers, based on quality, design and craftsmanship. Admission. See our Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands Guide.

July 18, 2015: ArtFest
This street festival in downtown Waynesville is the ultimate cultural exchange with juried international and regional artwork, international cuisine, international dance and music from Folkmoot USA, and regional music and dance. See our Waynesville Guide.

August 8, 2015: Wood DayWood Day is an event that brings together the woodworkers of the Southern Highland Craft Guild to demonstrate a wide range of woodworking techniques and skills. This event takes place at the Folk Art Center from 10 AM-4 PM. Free.

August 8-9, 2015: Sourwood FestivalThere's always plenty to see and do at this free street festival in downtown Black Mountain with great music and lots of fun, and of course lots of great mountain cookin'. Held each year in August, it's a time for good food, good fun and good friends. Alcohol-free. Go to their Web site.

August 15-16, 2015: Come to Leicester Studio Tour
Take a free, self-guided tour to 23 studios and shops in Leicester, a community nestled in the mountains near Asheville.
A detailed tour map will be available at every tour stop.
10 AM-6 PM Go to the Leicester Studio Tour Web site.

September 11-12, 2015: Carolina Mountains Literary Festival
Readers and writers alike will love this literary festival. The weekend in Burnsville will provide intimate settings for novice writers and fans to listen to panel discussions, converse with authors, participate in workshops, and have books signed. Admission. Go to the Literary Festival Web site.

September 19-20, 2015: Heritage Weekend
This is the Southern Highland Craft Guild’s weekend to celebrate heritage crafts of the Appalachian Mountains. Guild members and other traditional craftspeople show craft techniques with hand tools, native materials, and lots of ingenuity through demonstrations in the native arts at the Folk Art Center. In addition to crafts, several other traditional aspects of Appalachian life will be featured, such as traditional music and storytelling. Don’t miss the Annual World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition on Saturday, 2-3 PM. Read more about Heritage Weekend at Folk Art Center.

September 19, 2015: Art in Autumn
Downtown Weaverville street festival with more than 100 juried artists and craftspeople, along with an exciting array of food and live music. 10 AM-5 PM on Main Street. Six miles north of Asheville. Free. Go to their Web site.

September 19-20, 2015: Open Studio Tour
A self-guided studio tour with 50 artists in Henderson County (Hendersonville) with painters, sculptors, potters, jewelers, fiber artists and more. Go to their Web site.

October 3, 2015: Color Fest, Art & Taste of Appalachia
40 local demonstrating artists who will fill the picturesque town of Dillsboro neary Sylva with color. See artists painting at easels under colorful umbrellas, hear stands of music blossoming through the doorways, and experience a delicious taste of NC foods and wines. 10 AM-4 PM. Free

October 3, 10 & 17, 2015: Asheville Art in the Park
See and buy fine arts and crafts from local artists at Pack Square Park in downtown. Read more about Art in the Park

October 10, 17, 24 & 31, 2015: Ooh La La Curiosity Market
Showcasing the work of more than a dozen local artists, the Holiday Bazaar in Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville will feature works by local painters, leather smiths, jewelry makers, potters, up-cycled crafters, and other curious delights. Live local music with three musical acts performing each Saturday..

October 10, 2015: Church Street Art & Craft Show
Main Street in downtown Waynesville is transformed into an art & craft marketplace for this one-day event; widely known as one of the finest juried art shows in the region. Live mountain music & clogging, entertainment, food. 10 AM-5 PM.

October 10-11, 2015: Spruce Pine Potter's Market
This unique gathering of the region’s greatest potters and clay artists features wonderful food and beautiful handmade pottery on a colorful autumn weekend at the historic 31 Cross Street Building in downtown Spruce Pine. Admission is free. Go to their Web site.

October 10-11, 17-18, 2015: Fall Leaves Arts & Crafts Show
The Blue Ridge Artists and Crafters Association, a local nonprofit group has an indoor show with approximately 50 crafters, free parking, free admission, and food at Haywood County Fairgrounds in Waynesville.
Go to their Web site.

October 15-18, 2015: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
The Craft Fair, held in the Civic Center in downtown Asheville, has been an eagerly anticipated event in the mountains since 1948. The fair showcases work by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, with over 900 members throughout the mountain regions of nine states. Members' work must be juried and accepted by a committee of peers, based on quality, design and craftsmanship. Admission.
Go to the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands Guide.

October 24-25, 2015: Weaverville Art SafariLocated ten minutes north of Asheville, Weaverville is the home to many extremely talented artists. Drive to studios and galleries tucked away in the countryside. Free.
Read more about the Weaverville Art Safari. To download a map and see a full list of artists, go to their Web site.

November 7, 2015: Western North Carolina Pottery Festival
A juried event in Dillsboro with approximately 45 potters from across the Southeast, including members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Includes demostrations and Raku firings, as well as featured national potter John Fulwood of New Jersey. Annual highlight is the midday opening of the coffin wood kiln at Tree House Pottery. See our Pottery Festival Guide.

November 14-15, 2015: River District Artists Studio Stroll
The Studio Stroll is your chance to tour the studios, meet with the artists and purchase artwork. Within just a few blocks are dozens of eclectic mix of creative artists - from traditional to cutting-edge. Near downtown Asheville. Free. Read more about the River Arts District.

November 21, 2015: Christmas Show
The Blue Ridge Artists and Crafters Association, a local nonprofit group has an indoor show with approximately 50 crafters, free parking, free admission, and food at Haywood County Fairgrounds in Waynesville. Go to their Web site.

November 27-28, 2015: Hard Candy Christmas Arts & Crafts Show
Held at the Western Carolina University Ramsey Center in Cullowhee. A perennial favorite for unique regional arts and crafts at great prices. 100+ potters, glass artists, wood craft, folk dolls, and hard to find Old World Santa’s and ornaments. Go to their Web site.

December 5 & 12, 2015
Guild Artist Holiday Sale at Folk Art Center. Members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild will be on hand in the center’s auditorium to sell select work 10-50% off retail.

December 4-6, 2015: Toe River Studio Tour
About an hour north of Asheville, tucked in the lush green mountains is one of the finest collections of artists and craftsmen in the world and the acclaimed Penland School of Crafts. A unique blend of contemporary and traditional cultures. More than 100 fine artists and crafts people in every medium open their studios for a free, self-guided cultural adventure. Free. Read more about Toe River Studio Tour.